Research considerations in patients with cancer and comorbidity

Abstract

Research in patients with cancer and comorbidity poses methodological challenges due to heterogeneous study populations, difficulties with recruitment and a variety of relevant outcome measures. This chapter discusses methodological choices regarding study design to ensure best fit with the research questions regarding cancer and comorbidity, the most appropriate study populations and potential strategies to recruit patients, the availability and fit of data sources, methods to measure comorbidity, and relevant outcomes and strategies for statistical analyses with a particular focus on the handling of longitudinal data.